Manish Kumar
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Dr Tom Cherian, a Hyderabad-based liver transplant surgeon with about two decades of experience in the field, was in the city Friday. Cherian, who has performed more than 400 liver transplants and has been the adviser to the Telangana govt on the subject talks to Orissa POST:
Q: What is the magnitude of liver diseases in the country at present?
A: There are about 400 million Hepatitis B patients in the world. Of these 25 percent cases are in India alone. Every year about 1,00,000 Indians die from liver cancer. Fatty liver is also proving to be a major health hazard in the country.
Q: Many people assume fatty liver is a common health hazard. Is it really common and can it be ignored?
A: Fatty liver has turned out to be a matter of concern. Four years ago only five per cent of fatty liver patients needed liver transplants but last year 30 percent of the fatty liver patients needed and underwent transplant.
Q: What is the success rate of liver transplant now?
A: It differs from patient to patient and their conditions. Normally, one year post treatment is crucial. Eighty per cent of the patients who undergo transplant face the risk of death within this period. But if they survive the first year they are able to lead a normal life in about 80 per cent cases.
Q: Which conditions necessitate liver transplant?
A: Liver transplants are not done when the liver has suffered damage of 80 percent or more or it has been affected by ailments such as hepatitis B or liver cancer.
Q: How much does the procedure cost?
A: A transplant can cost between Rs 21lakh and Rs35 lakh depending on the condition of the patients and the type of hospital the patient has chosen. Part of the expense would be used for a full assessment of the body, which includes diagnosis and other services.
Q: Liver transplant facility is scarce in government hospitals. Does the state government need to take proactive measures to bring the facility here?
A: The government should take necessary measures but the question is: How will they manage the support system? The procedure is very complex and requires proper infrastructure and other facilities that government hospitals are lacking in.
Q: Telangana govt has experimented with such a facility under your guidance. What is the situation there?
A: I have been voluntarily helping them with consultation and procedure, and training manpower. Till date, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, has successfully carried out three liver transplants. The first transplant was done in May under my supervision.
Q: Which section of the society is most vulnerable to liver disease?
A: Liver diseases affect all sections of the society. However certain diseases such as hepatitis have been observed to affect the poor more. Fatty liver, which is often caused by excessive alcohol consumption regularly, affects all equally. Nevertheless, it is a myth that alcohol consumption is a key cause for liver disorders. Only 30 per cent of liver diseases are caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Q: Will you help Orissa, too, to implement such facilities?
A: I will be visiting a private hospital in the city each month and plan to train experts here on the subject. Earlier many people in Orissa had to visit Hyderabad for consultation and follow-up. Now at least pre transplant assessment and counseling could be done here. We are also in discussions to start a liver transplant service in the state within the next 4-5 years.
